-
1
Combine the lamb, milk, bay leaves, fennel, rosemary, and garlic in a large pot.
-
2
Cover and let stand in a cool place for 4 to 6 hours.
-
3
Prepare a medium-hot fire (425F) in a wood-fired oven or cooker.
-
4
Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a baking dish over medium heat and saute the onion until pale golden, 10 to 15 minutes.
-
5
Remove the lamb from the milk bath and pat the chunks dry with paper toweling.
-
6
Reserve the milk and aromatics.
-
7
Lightly salt and pepper the lamb, then dust with a little flour.
-
8
Add the lamb to the same pan over medium heat and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
-
9
Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and cut into 1/8-inch-thick crosswise slices.
-
10
Soak the potatoes in the reserved milk.
-
11
Season the browned lamb with a little more salt and pepper.
-
12
Transfer the onion and lamb to a side dish.
-
13
Tilt the pan and remove any oil.
-
14
Add a few tablespoons of water to the pan and stir to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
-
15
Reserve the liquid.
-
16
Rub an ovenproof 2 1/2-quart clay baker with the clove of garlic, then lightly oil.
-
17
Scatter the onion slices in the baker.
-
18
Drain the potatoes, reserving the milk.
-
19
Layer one half of the drained potatoes on top of the onions and sprinkle with pepper.
-
20
Spread the meat in one layer; sprinkle with all of the parsley, half of the cheese, and half of the bread crumbs.
-
21
Layer the remaining drained potatoes on top.
-
22
Add the reserved pan liquid to the milk mixture and pour over the potatoes.
-
23
Press down on the potatoes so there will be some room for expansion.
-
24
Place the pan over low heat and slowly bring to a boil, about 15 minutes.
-
25
Sprinkle the top of the potatoes with the remaining cheese and bread crumbs and the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil.
-
26
Loosely cover with aluminum foil and set the pan on the floor of the oven to bake for about 15 minutes.
-
27
Move to a cooler section of the oven (where it is about 325F) and continue baking for 1 1/4 hours.
-
28
Remove the foil and cook for another 30 minutes, or until crusty and golden.
-
29
Let rest for 30 minutes, then serve warm.